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This time last year, the 28-year-old soccer player was preparing to help Croatia’s national team to success at the European Championships.

However, in three weeks’ time under the summer sun at the Poreč Major, Perišić will be hoping for glory of a different kind as he takes to the sand alongside teammate Nikša Dell’Orco in one of beach volleyball’s biggest annual tournaments.

“My expectations are always the same, just like in soccer – to give my all and win,” Perišić said in a statement issued at the Poreč Major kick-off press conference in Zagreb on Thursday.

“Last year I saw the Poreč Major on TV so I contacted the organizers and expressed my wish to play because it looked awesome – and now I am here.”

Perišić, who plays his soccer in Italy with Inter Milan, thanked the organizers and federations for allowing him take part – and confirmed he and Dell’Orco will hand all prize money from the tournament to the Croatian Volleyball Federation.

His statement continued: “I have been given permission to play in a tournament of the highest importance. My only wish is to say in the tournament for as long as possible.

“I hope my participation in the Poreč Major will help promote this unique tournament and promote this beautiful sport. The fee that we will receive as a team from the organizers will be donated to the beach volleyball federation to benefit the development of Croatian beach volleyball players.”

Perišić and Dell’Orco are likely to face a number of players who featured at last summer’s Olympic Games. Exactly which beach volleyball stars they will take on during the tournament will be revealed once the full entry list has been decided, so keep your eyes peeled on swatchmajorseries.com for more details.

You can watch the full press conference courtesy of our Facebook page, here.